No Cuts to Lewisham CAMHS
- Anonymous
- Closed on
- Target:
- Lewisham Commissioners and Steve Bullock, Mayor of Lewisham
- Region:
- United Kingdom
On Line Petition activated in error. Please sign paper petition.
Apologies for any inconvenience caused.
CUTS TO LEWISHAM CHILD AND ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES (CAMHS)
Initial budget cuts totalling almost £500,000 this year are proposed for Lewisham Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. More cuts are planned for the following 2 years. Services affected include the Schools Service, CAMHS social workers, forensic services, refugee and asylum seekers and looked after children. A number of longstanding and very experienced staff will have to leave the service.
This is a reduction of almost a quarter of Lewisham CAMHS service and will lead to fewer front line workers and longer waiting lists for children and young people. This is an essential service which has been commended in various government inspections.
This attack comes after the government has promised to protect front line health services and when only last month the ‘No Health Without Mental Health’ government mental health strategy highlighted the need for local and accessible child mental health services.
We the undersigned are writing to express our concern that budget cuts totalling almost £500,000 are proposed for Lewisham Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.
We urge you to reconsider this budget reduction.